Electric motor driven power unit



Patentes June 2s, 1940 A ELECTRIC Moron. narvEN rowsa UNIT Don Heyer, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to U. S.

Electrical Motors, Inc., a corporation of California Appucauonoctober 24, 1934, serial No, nasca 12 claims. (ci. '1i-2211.17)-

This invention relates to a power unit that is driven by an electric motor; and more particularly to a power unit that includes a .variable ratio transmission mechanism. 5 Such units have been described inseveral earlier applications which can be identied as fol` lows: Don Heyer, Variable speed transmission device, Serial No. 519,764, led March 3, 1931; Don Heyer, Variable speed transmission device, Serial l No. 631,533, led September 2, 1932; Don Heyer, Variablev speed power unit, Serial No. 640,707, led November 1, 1932; Don Heyer, Variable speed drive with multiple belts, Serial No. 667,379, tiled April 22, 1933; Don Heyer and Thomas G. l Myers, Variable pulley structure, Serial No. 673,-

333, iiled May 29, 1933; Don Heyer and 4Thomas G. Myers, Variable speed power unit, Serial No. 679,034, tiled July 5, 1933; Don Heyer, Venti-g lated variable` speed power unit, Serial No. 711,- 917, filed February 19, 1934; Don .Heyer, Adiustable speed drive, Serial No. 732,452, iiled June 25, 1934; and Don Heyer, Variable speed power unit, Serial No. 747,410, led October 8, 1934.

This .application is a continuation in part of these prior applications. One of the common features of the power umts described is the manner in which .the -ratio of transmission can be varied. For this purpose, a

wedge shaped belt is used, engaged at opposite sides by pulley structures having opposed inclined faces. At least one of the pulley structures has van adjustable effective diameter. This pulley structure has a pair of sections forming the opposed inclined faces, axially adjustable relative When the sections are brought to each other.

closery together, the belt rides radially outwardly,

and the eiIective diameter of the pulley is increased, Conversely, when the sections are separated, the belt is permitted to enter between the faces and to approach the axis, and the effective diameter is reduced. I l

It is one of the objects of this invention 'to provide a compact, emcient unit of this character, in

which the axes of' the driving and driven pul-A ley structures are vertical, so asto drive la vertical load driving shaft. 1

It is another object of this invention to fa' cilitate the installation and repair of `such verti- It is still another object voi this invention to provide a vertical power unit of this character which includes a casing or housing that encloses the pulley structures, and that supports on its exterior, the driving motor being supported on u top of the casing, and the arrangementV being such that the relative' positions of motor driven pulley and the other pulley can be interchanged easily. i

It is still another object oi this invention to ensure againstthe accumulation of static elec- I triclty on the belt, irrespective of the position of the belt as it varieswith variation in the speed ratio.

It is another object of this invention to ensure against deleterious effects oi static electricity on relatively slidable parts of the 'adjustable mechanism; and particularly by ensuring that any accumulated static electricity will be conducted to a grounded part`of the symm.

This invention possesses many other advan- 1l tages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this DllrDOle there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of thepresent speciilcalo tion. This form shall now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of theinvention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best de` g5' iined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, mainly in vertical section, of an embodiment of the invention;

' Figs. 2 and 2A are elevations of the embodiment 30 oi' the invention shown in Fig. 1, showing the manner in whichthe position of the electric .motor with its `driving pulley, can be interchanged with the position 'oi the driven pulley with the ratio varying mechanism; and 35 Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the plane 3-3 of Fig. 1.

'I'he electric motor I is shown in this instance as of the vertical type. It can be provided with a drip-proof top 2' and an end Viframe 3. The top 2 can be provided with Vappropriate eyebolts l for facilitating removal and replacement oi' the motor on top of a casing 5 on which it is supported.

The frame 3 is shown asprovided with a transverse air passageway i for permitting egress or ingress of ventilating air in or out o! theI motor casing. I 1 l In order to support the motor l on casing I,

this casing is provided with a Banged aperture n v 1. The flange 8 of this aperture, can be in-V terrupted, and can be accommodated in a groove 9 located in a flange il, forming an integral part of the bottom frame 3. 'I'he ange I0 can be correspondinglyinterrupted so that the interu rupted portions oi flange 8 can vbe passed be- The casing is provided with appropriate feet II for supporting it on a horizontal surface. The

motor shaft I 2 extends into the casing and serves to drive directly, a pulley structure I8. This pulley structure is shown in this instance as having a variable effective'diameter. For this purpose the pulley structure includes pulley sections I4 and I5 having opposed inclined faces. One of the sections can be` fixedV to the shaft I2 as by the aid of a set screw I5. The other pulley section such as I5 is arranged to be adjusted in an axial direction toward or froml the pulley section I4.y 'Ihe sections I4 and vI5 are in driving engagement with the sides of a V-shaped belt I1 and as explained herelnb'efore, the relative positions of sections I4 and I5 determine the effective diamete'r ofthepulley structure I3.

Preferably each of the pulley sections I4 and I5 is provided with a series of fan blades such as I8 to provide an air circulation into and out of the casing 5. In order to provide ingress and egress of air with respect to' the casing 5, the bottom of the casing can be provided with an aperture I8, over which is fastened a cover membei` 28. This cover member is-providedwith an upwardly converging deector wall 2I forming a passageway for Ventilating air. Similarly on each side of the casing 5, there is provided a cover plate 22 (Figs. 2 and 2A), havinga series of downwardly directed louvres 23.

The manner in which thepuiiey section I5 v 'rms is` accomplished by the aid of the thrustball' bearing structure 28. 'Ihe inner race of this structure is rigidly mounted on-the hub 28 of section I5, as by being urged against a shoulder by lthe clamping device 80. The outer race of. ball bearing structure 28 is confined against a shoulder 5I inside of the member 25, andv is held in place by cover member 82. 'I'his cover member 82 also serves as a lubricant retaining means.

'I'he hub 28 of Asection I5 can be lined with a sleeve 33 for providing sliding surfaces of suitable character between the pulley section I5 and the motor shaft I2. The pulley section I5 can I be appropriately splined to the shaft I2.

Lubricant retaining washers such as 84 and I5 can be provided adjacent the upper end of the member 25, defining the lubricant chambers I8 and 31 surrounding the hub 28.

The belt I1 is in driving relation -to a driven pulley structure 58. 'I'his pulley structure is arranged to'drive the load driving shaft 39, which has a vertical axis. 'I'his load driving shaft 89 is provided with a downwardly extending portion 40 projecting below the casing 5.

At the bottom of the casing, appropriate means can be provided for rotatably supporting the shaft 40. For example a thrust ball bearing structure 4I can have its inner race supported against a shoulder on shaft 4l. Its outer race can be held inside of a cap structure 42.. This cap structure 42 has a circular flange 41 fastened over an aperture 44 similar to aperture I8.

The cap structure 42 can'be made lubricant tight as by the aid of the lubricant retaining Washer 45. It can be provided with a cover 45, -located in the inside.of the casing. ,'Inis cover 45 can also have a lubricant retaining washer 41. The cover serves to hold the outer race of the ball bearing' structure 4I firmly in place.

`The arrangement is such that the bearing structure, including parts 42 and 42, can be interchanged with the cover 28, whereby it is possible to interchange to relative positions of shafts I2 and 58 with their associated mechanisms. 'I'hus pulley structure I3 can be made small enough in diameter so that when ythe frame 3 of motor I is freed from flange 8, and belt I1 taken off of pulley structure Il, the entire motor structure with the pulley structure I3 can be withdrawn through aperture 1, by lifting upwardly on eye-bolts 4.

A similar flanged aperture 48 is provided at the top of the casing 5, for supporting the shaft 38 with its associated pulley structure and control structure. This pulley structure and the acsociated structure can be removed through the aperture 48 after the belt I1 is disengaged, and after cap 48 is loosened from member y42. The removal of the belt I1 and loosening of cap 45 can be accomplished after cover member 28 is removed as by reaching into the casing through aperture I 8. i

The pulley structure ll is so arranged that one section 49 is axially adjustable with respect to the opposite `action 50. For this purpose the pulley section 48 is mounted on a long sleeve 5I. The upper end of this long sleeve 5I is rotatably supported by a ball bearing structure 52. The inner race of this ball bearing structure is held against a shoulder on sleeve 5I as by the aid vof the clamp nut 58. 'Ihe o'uter race is supported against a shoulder on a sliding member 54.n This sliding member 54 is guided for movement in a cylindrical guide 55, shown as integral with a flange 56. This flange 58 is provided with an Interrupted portion similar to the corresponding ange of the frame member 3, for engagement with the anged aperture 48.

Lubrication for the sliding surfaces between members 54 and 55 can be provided, as through a passageway 51 and an annular groove 58 located inside of theguide 55.

Attached to the top of the sliding member 54 is a cap structure 55 having a threaded aperture 50. The aperture 88 is adapted to be engaged by a threaded stud 8|. operated as by a handwheel 52. This handwheel is shown as appropriately supported for rotation in the end wall of the cylinder guide'member 55.

It is apparent that byturning the hand-wheel "62, the axial position of section 48 can be adjusted. This axial motion is caused to provide a corresponding axial motion of pulley section 3| for pulley structure I3. For this purpose an interlocking mechanism can be provided between the guide members 54 and 25. 'I'hus the guide member 25 can be engaged by a shift fork 63, vhaving pins engaging through slots inthe cylindrical guide 24 and engagingthe guide 25. In this way angular rotation of the guide 25 is prevented. The fork 83 can be pivoted on an ear 68 formed integrally with the cylindrical 'guide 24. 1|-

` pivoted on an ear 69 formed integral with the in the upper end of the slide 5l, as' by the aid of cylindrical guide 55.

If desired, a stationary abutment such as an adjustable screw 10 can be provided in the flange 56 for limiting the extent of the adjustment, and this-screw -10 is adapted to engage'the fork 68 in one of its extreme positions.

Indication of. the speed ratio can be secured as by the aid of a pointer and scale device. For example, a pointer 1i can be pivoted on a pivot pin 12 and can be urged as by a tension spring 13 against an adjustable abutment 14. This abutment 1i can be joined to the cap 59. 'The pointer moves over a scale 15 supported on a stationary bracket 16. This bracket 1S is supported in turn on one wall of the cylindrical guide member 55.

The pulley section 49 is appropriately splined to shaft 39 in order to be in driving engagement therewith. Pulley section 50, instead of being rigidly connected rto the shaft 39, is urged under .spring tension toward 4pulley section 9 to impart initial pressure against belt |1 and also to take up for belt wear. For this purpose the lshaft -39 has an upper hollow portion 11, in which is located a compression spring 18. The upper end of the compression spring abuts against a shoulder of a headless screw 19, engaging the threads in the upper end of hollow portion 11. In this way the compression force of spring 1li can be 'adjustedY The lower end of compression spring 18 abuts against a transverse pin 80, which passes through appropriate slots in the shaft 39 as wellr as in the sleeve 5|, and is fastened to the hub 8| of the pulley section 50. The pin 80 therefore serves as la spline connection' between the pulley section and the shaft 39. 'Ihe slots I2 in hub 5| are long enough to take care of the relative axial adjustments.

Furthermore, a lubricant chamber 83 is formed the lubricant retaining washer M acting against the hub 5|. Lubricant can obviously pass from this chamber through the hollow portion 11, and radially outward through aseries of small apertures 85. This lubricates the sliding surfaces between sleeve 5|and shaft I9. Y

It is apparent that since the external diameter pulley structure 38 is smaller than the aperture Il, the variable pulley structure and its associated parts can'be removed by an upward pull from casing 5, and can be interchanged in position with the motor and its associated parts. This interchange in position is indicated by the aid of Figures 2 and 2A. The mechanism as well as the load driving shaft 4l is shown to the left of motor structure in Fig. 2; but this position can be interchanged as shown in Fig. 2A.

In order to facilitate transportation of casing- 5 and the parts supported thereon, several eye- -bolts, such' as 81 (Figs. 2 and 2A) can be pro- `vided on top ofthe casing 5.

There may be some accumulation of static electricity on the moving parts of the apparatus. For this purpose a rake mechanism can be provided contacting at all times with the belt |1.y This is shown most clearly in Fig. 3. Here the rake mechanism is shown as a leaf spring structure 88 on one side wall I9 oi' the casing 5. The

free end of the leaf spring structure 8l is arfranged to contact with the belt i1 to ground the static electricity to the frame. `As the belt I1 moves toward or from the axis of shaft 40 in the process of speed ratio adjustment, the contacting portion 9l`of the leaf spring stays in contact for all of. .these positions.

In case the direction of rotation'of the shafts,

similar pigtail connection 93 can be provided between sleeve El and shaft 40. These pigtails do not interfere with the axial adjustments and en? sure good electrical connection from the adjust--4 sleeve 33 of pulley section I5 and shaft I2. A

able pulley structures to the respective shafts,

thereby eliminating any possibility of an elec-1 trical potential dierence between the sliding mechanisms and the shafts. I claim:

1. In a variable ratio power transmission unit,

a vertical electric motor having a shaft, a casing having an aperture by theaid of which said motor is mounted on said casin`g,'the motor shaft extending downwardly into the casing, a pulley structure inside said casing and directly connected to said shaft, Va driven pulley structure having a vertical axis also locatedin said casing,

a belt for transmitting power between said pulley structures, and means for varying the leiiective diameter of said driven pulley structure, said casing having another aperture by the aid of i which said means can be mounted on the casing,

and said means being connected to the driven pulley structure, lsaid apertures associated with said driving and driven pulley structures providing means wherebysaid driving and driven pulley structures may be removed .from said casing by passing said pulley structures through the respective apertures associated therewith.

2. In a variable ratio' power transmission unit, a vertical electric motor having a shaft, a casing having an aperture by the aid of which said motor is mountedon said casing, the motor shaft extending downwardly into the casing, av pulley v structure inside said casing and directly connected to said shaft, a drivenpulley structure having avertical axis also located in said casing, a belt for transmitting power between said pulley structures, and means for varying the eifective diameter of said driven pulley structure, said casing having another aperture by the aid of which said means can be mounted on the casing, and said means Ibeing connected to the driven pulley structure, said apertures providing means whereby vsaid pulley structures may be removed from the casing and passed through the respective apertures, and said apertures being of the same form so that the relative positions of the motor driven pulley structure and of the other pulley structure can beinterchanged.

- 3. In a'variable ratio power transmission unit, a vertical electric motor, having a shaft. a casing having an aperture by the aid of which said motor is mounted on said casing, the motor shaft extending downwardly into the casing, a pulley structure inside said casing and directly con-- nected to said shaft, -a driven pulley structure having a vertical axis also located in said casing, a belt for transmitting power betweensaid pulley structures, means for varying the effective diam- Seid 15,

means being connected i to the driven pulley structure, said apertures providing means whereby said pulley structures may be ,removed from the casing and passed through the respective apertures, and said apertures being of the same form so that the relative positions of the motor pulley structure and ofthe driven pulley structure can be interchanged, a load driving shaft upon which the driven pulley structure is mounted and projecting downwardly outside of the casing, said casing having a pair of similar aper-V tures at the bottom, a bearing structure for the load driving shaft supported in one aperture, and a cover plate supported underneath the motor pulley in the other aperture, said bearing structure and cover plate being interchangeable in said apertures.

4. In a variable ratio power transmission unit, a driving pulley structuren. driven pulley structure, a belt for transmitting power betweenV saidV pulley structures, means for varying the effective diameter of at least one of said structures, both of said structures having vertical axes, a casingfor said structures, said diameter varying means being supported on the casing, a vertical electric motor also supported on the casing and directly connected to said driving pulley structure, said casing having downwardly directed opening on the side thereof for the passage of Ventilating air, fan means within said casing for producing a circulation of cooling air through said casing, and the frame of the motor having an opening for Ventilating air.

5. In a variable ratio power -transmission unit. a vertical electric motor having a shaft, a casing having an aperture by the aid of which said motor is mounted on said casing, the motor shaft extending downwardly into the casing, a pulley structure'inside said casing and directly connected to said shaft, a driven pulley structure having a vertical axis also located'in said casing, a belt for transmitting power between said pulley structures, means for varying the effective diameter of said driven pulley structure, said casing having another aperture by the aid of which said means can be mounted on the casing, and said means being connected to the driven pulley structure, said pulley structures being such that they may be removed from the casing and passed through the respective apertures, and said apertures being of the same form so that the relative positions of the motor pulley structure and of the driven pulley structure can be interchanged, a load driving shaft upon which the driven pulley structure is mounted and projecting downwardly outside of the casing, said casing having a pair of similar apertures at the bottom, a. bearing structure for Athe load driving shaft supported on a cover plate underneath the driven pulley in one of the lower apertures, said bearing structure and cover plate being interchangeable in said apertures,said casing having downwardly directed openings on the side thereof for Ventilating air, and the cover having an aperture for Ventilating air, and fan means rotated with one of said pulley structures for circulating air through the casing.

6. In a variable ratio transmission device including a casing, a pair of pulley structures as well as a belt in driving relation to the structures in the casing, one of said structures having a pair of relatively axially adjustable sections forming by axial adjustment, variable effective diameters, means for passing static electricity from the belt to ground, comprising a grounded collector supported in the casing and in continuous sliding contact with the belt. and means for yieldingly urging said collector in contact with the belt, said means being adapted to maintain the collector in contact with the belt as the position of the belt changes in response to adjustment of the' adjustable pulley structure.

'1. In a variable ratio transmission device including a casing, a pair of pulley structures as Well as a belt in driving relation to the structures in the casing, one of said structures having a pair of relatively axially adjustable sections forming by axial adjustment, variable effective diameters, and means for passing static electricity from the belt to the ground, comprising a leaf spring structure supported on the casing and in continuous sliding contact with the belt, said structure being adapted to remain in contact with the belt as the position of the belt changes in response to adjustment of the adjustable pulley structure. i

8. In combination, a casing having vertical walls and a horizontal wall at the top thereof joining said vertical walls, as well as means formed thereon adjacent to the lower edge of said vertical walls for supporting said casing, an adjustable ratio power transmission mechanism in said casing and supportedv thereon, said mechanism including a vertical driving shaft, a vertical driven shaft, a driving pulley structure mounted on said driving shaft, a driven pulley structure mounted on said driven shaft, each of said pulley structures having an adjustable effective diarneter, and a belt for transmitting power between said pulley structures, said horizontal wall at the top of said casing having a pair of apertures formed therein respectively adjacent to the axes of said driving and driven shafts, and meansforming a pair of removable covers respectively for each of said apertures, said apertures and said removable covers provided therefor providing means whereby said driving and driven pulley structures may be vertically removed from the said casing through the respective apertures associated therewith.

9. In a variable ratio power, transmission unit, a casing having vertical walls and a horizontal wall at the top thereof joining said vertical walls, as well as means formed thereon adjacent to the lower edge of said vertical walls for supporting said casing, a vertical electric motor supported on said horizontal wall and having its shaft extending downwardly into said casing, a driving pulley structure inside said casing-and mounted on said motor shaft, a vertical load driving shaft projecting downwardly outside of said casing, a driven pulley structure within said casing and mounted on said load driving shaft. a belt for transmitting power between said pulley structures, said driven pulley structure having an adjustable effective diameter and including a pair of pulley sections with opposed inclined faces, forming by relative axial adjustment variable effective pulley diameters, said horizontal wall having an aperture formed therein adjacent to the axis of said load driving shaft, means forming a removable cover for said aperture, and one of said vertical walls having an aperture formed therein for providing access to said beit and said pulley structures, said apertures formed in said vertical and horizontal walls providing means whereby said driving belt may be removed from said driven pulley structure.

l 10. In a variable ratio power transmission unit, a casing having vertical walls and a horizontal wall at the top thereof Joining saidvertical walls,

s pulley structures, each of said pulley structures having an adjustable eifective diameter and in.

cluding a pair of pulley sections with opposed inclined faces forming by relative axial .adjustment variable eiective pulley diameters, means for interlocking the adjustment of the effective diameters of said pulleyv structures, said horizontal wail having an aperture formed therein -adjacent to the axis of said driven shaft, a removable cover for saidl aperture.' and one of said vertical walls having an aperture 'formed therein, providing accessl to said interlocking means for disengaging said interlocking means to release the belt tension, whereby said belt may be passed over the end of said motor shaft and out of said casing upon the removal of said removable cover.

11. In a variable ratio power transmission unit,

a casing having -a pair of spaced oppositely facing horizontal walls, each of said walls having a pair of supporting surfaces formed thereon; the supl porting surfaces formed on each wall being substantially equivalent and horizontally displaced from each other, the pair of surfaces on one wall being substanuauy opposite Ato the pau-'or surfaces formed on the otherA wall, a driving-pulleyV structure, a driven pulley structure, both of said structures having vvertical axes, means for vary-g ing the eil'ective diameter of vat least-one of said structures, a supporting iiange associated with the driving pulley structure, a supporting vflange associated wlth'the driven pulley structure, said flanges being supported by the aid of the suplporting surfaces on the horizontal walls, said flanges and said supporting surfaces providing means whereby the lpositions of the driving and driven pulleys may be interchanged within the y casing; A 12. In a variable ratio power transmission unit,

a casing having a pair of spaced oppositely facingy horizontal walls, each of said walls having a pair of supporting surfaces formed thereon; the supporting surfaces formed on each wall being substantially equivalent and horizontally displaced from each' other, `the pair of surfaces on one wall being substantially opposite to the pairof `sur--4 faces formed on the other wall, a driving pulley structure, a driven pulley structure, both of said structures having vertical axes, a supporting flange associated with each'of said pulley structures, said flanges vbeing supported bytheaid of the supporting surfaces on the horizontaly walls. and speed adiusting mechanism associated with one of said pulley structures and supported by one of said surfaces, said iianges andsaid supporting surfaces providing means whereby the portions of the driving and driven pulleys 'may be interchanged within thecasing.

. DON HEYER. 

